The Mining CycleThe Mining Cycle

Exploration

MiningReclamationMetals-6-1Images: Martin Miller

Useful metals come from rocks Useful metals come from rocks and minerals in the Earth’s and minerals in the Earth’s

crust.crust.

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Galena sample – a main ore of lead. Image: Stonetrust, Inc.

Geologists explore for useful Geologists explore for useful metals by mapping, drilling, metals by mapping, drilling,

and sampling rocks and and sampling rocks and minerals.minerals.

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Image: Martin Miller

Many rocks containing Many rocks containing useful metals are mined useful metals are mined

from surface excavations.from surface excavations.

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Image: Kennecott Utah Copper Co.

Some rocks containing Some rocks containing useful metals are mined useful metals are mined

from underground.from underground.

Metals-6-5Image: US Bureau of Land Management

After mining removes the rocks After mining removes the rocks containing useful metals, surface containing useful metals, surface disturbances are covered with soil disturbances are covered with soil

layers and revegetated. This is called layers and revegetated. This is called reclamation.reclamation.

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Image: Kennecott Utah Copper Co.

Mines are not closed until Mines are not closed until reclamation that protects reclamation that protects

surface and water resources is surface and water resources is complete.complete.

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Before

AfterImages: Gold Institute, Echo Bay Mines; S. Warren

The Mining CycleThe Mining Cycle

Exploration

MiningReclamationMetals-6-8Images: Martin Miller